Former Glamorgan head coach Toby Radford is Cricket Ireland‘s new national academy and performance manager.
Radford, 44, departed the Welsh county in December after two seasons in charge. He has since been working in the Caribbean, working with the likes of Kieran Powell.
Ireland hope the former Middlesex and Sussex opener will help them achieve their goal of playing Test cricket and becoming a full member of the ICC.
Radford said: “I’m looking forward to joining Cricket Ireland at such an exciting time for the organisation.
“Ireland have forged a strong and well-established reputation for producing high-quality young cricketers, and its national team has performed with great distinction on the international stage over the past decade.
“I have always been passionate about unearthing and coaching young talent and the opportunity to do so with Cricket Ireland, as it seeks to obtain full Test match playing status, is hugely motivating.”
Former England batsman Chris Adams was appointed as Ireland’s national academy manager in May but left the role after just two days due to family reasons.
Radford takes over having also been head coach at Middlesex and having had coaching roles with West Indies and England Lions.
Cricket Ireland performance director Richard Holdsworth said: “We are now looking to develop our talent into world-class players who are capable of performing against the best in the world in all three formats.
“Toby’s experience of coaching at international and first-class level will bring great understanding of what it takes to perform at the highest level.”
